EPA Grants WA $63M To Replace Lead Water Lines

OLYMPIA, WA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a plan to send $63 million to Washington to aid the state in its effort to replace local lead water service lines. The Washington state Department of Health says that money should "greatly" speed its ongoing effort to remove lead from drinking water systems.

“Lead in drinking water pipes and faucets threatens the health and well-being of children and families across Washington”, said Lauren Jenks, Assistant Secretary of Environmental Public Health. “We are thankful to Congress, the Biden Administration and the EPA for moving quickly to make these funds available so we can ensure that every Washington resident can turn on their tap, confident that the water coming out is safe.”

The Natural Resource Defense Council estimates that Washington has roughly 27,000 lead service lines in need of replacement. DOH data from 2016 suggests that lead service lines can be found in under 2.5 percent of Washington homes, and that around 8 percent of homes are served by a lead component. The DOH says that, unfortunately, because of inequitable infrastructure development, most of those lead pipes can be found in low-income communities and communities of color.

In Washington, lead-based paint remains the greatest risk for lead exposure and elevated blood levels in children, the DOH said. Lead poisoning in young children can cause behavior and learning problems. In adults, it can cause hypertension and increased blood pressure.

If you're concerned about lead in your home water supply, here are some tips from the City of Seattle:

• Flush your pipes. If water has been standing in pipes for over six hours, run the tap for a few minutes before using the water.
• Draw cold water. Lead dissolves more quickly in hot water.
• Heat up cold drinks. Never make baby formula or other drinks for children from the hot water tap.